Suspect Arrested, Two More Sought In Home Invasion Murder

Desert Hot Springs Police say they have arrested one man but are looking for another man and woman in connection to the home invasion shooting death of a man in February.

Police announced the arrest of Curtis Lee Drake, 19,during a news conference Thursday. Police arrested Drake on Feb. 26, just two days after the murder.

Police also said they were looking for two more suspects, Lavenski S. Harrell, 27,and LaToya Shontrice Jenkins, 23.

According to investigators, a group of people broke into a home in the 68000block of Calle Azteca on the afternoon of Feb. 24.

That was when a person already in the home, Samuel Raye Cotton, 34, was shot and killed.

Officers said the suspects may have taken off in a blue sport-utility vehicle with chrome wheels.

Jenkins has family in the Cathedral City area, but Harrell, who is from Oakland, has not been seen since the killing, police said.

Drake is being held at the sheriff’s jail in Blythe without bail. He is scheduled to appear in court April 10 for a felony settlement conference.

Anyone with information about the suspects was asked to call Desert Hot Springs police at (760) 329-2904.